Pervert 'laughed and smiled' as he attacked 11 women in 3-hour sex assault spree
Duane Gardner targeted multiple victims including a pregnant woman and an OAP
A sexual predator is behind bars after he subjected 11 women to harrowing assaults during a three-hour spree across Staffordshire.
Duane Gardner's victims included a pregnant woman and an elderly lady who was out walking her dog.
The 26-year-old even 'laughed and smiled' as he subjected 11 victims to sex attacks in Hanley, Etruria and Hartshill before he was finally detained by police.
His victims were all women and a variety of ages, StokeonTrentLive reports.
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Gardner has now been jailed for 26 years over the terrifying spree which began at 8am on May 17 last year.
Gardner pounced on his first victim in Hanley Cemetery.
Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard he grappled her to the floor before she managed to punch him in the face.
He retreated but wasted no time in finding his next victim who was paying her respects at a nearby grave.
A short video clip filmed by a witness was played to the court, where her harrowing and desperate screams could be heard.
Prosecutor Adrian Keeling KC said: “The defendant had the victim pinned to the ground when he noticed a passerby was filming and ran off.
"It is not known what might have happened if not.”
He then drove a black Vauxhall Astra to Hartshill, where he grabbed a woman from behind and ‘ripped her leggings’.
He soon abandoned the effort after a brief struggle.
Gardner attacked several more people - including an elderly woman taking her dog for a walk - before he turned his warped attention towards a pregnant woman.
Mr Keeling added: “The defendant grabbed her from behind by gripping her private parts.
"He pushed her to the floor. She was left feeling especially scared due to her vulnerable condition.”
Finally, at 10.54am, the defendant returned to Hanley Cemetery to carry out the last of his sick attacks.
The court heard he groped the behinds of two carers - and a woman with learning difficulties - while ‘to their horror, he laughed’.
Mr Keeling said in his closing statement: “He committed 11 nasty, serious sexual offences on complete strangers.
"All took place in broad daylight. It was a sustained attack of sexual assaults with the intention of vaginal penetration.
“Some of the victims had never been subject to such an attack before, and have been left shocked and traumatised.
"Others were reminded of past traumas they’ve suffered. This is the inevitable result of the random nature of these offences.
“He was undeterred by his victim’s feelings. He moved on from victim to victim, hoping to achieve more success in his next attack.
"There was no remorse or concern for their wellbeing.”
The court heard Gardner had zero previous convictions for sexual assault but he did suffer a ‘psychotic break’ in 2021 after smoking cannabis.
A number of his victims claimed that Gardner ‘stunk’ of cannabis during the attacks and a doctor's report suggesting he may have consumed the substance.
Gardner's lawyers expressly denied this accusation, although they did contend he was not in his ‘right mind’.
Simon Phillips, mitigating, said: “There is no question that these are appalling and serious offences. Duane Gardner has thought long and hard about them since 2024.
"He would like to make an unconditional apology to all of the victims. He recognises the distress they felt then and today.
“He cannot explain his actions. He was laughing and smiling, while carrying out the offences in broad daylight.
"These are not the actions of someone in his right mind. It does not excuse his actions, but he remains shocked by his own behaviour.
“Duane struggled to accept that someone fitting his description was reported to have carried out these attacks.
"But when the DNA evidence became apparent, he realised it was him. As soon as he did, he pleaded guilty.”
Gardner, of Lorien Court, Hartshill Road, Hartshill, pleaded guilty to nine charges of sexual assault and two charges of assault by penetration.
After a 20-minute rest, Judge Sally Hancox sentenced Gardner to 21 years behind bars with a four-year extended licence period.
She said: “All of these women were complete strangers to you and each other prior to these attacks.
“They were going about their day and minding their own business. Shopping, working, enjoying a walk, visiting loved ones at the cemetery.
"One victim was even stood on her own doorstep. Your victims were of all ages, from young to middle-aged.
“You changed tactics regularly. Some women you took by complete surprise. Others you lured into a sense of security by pretending to tie your laces or asking for directions.
"This was a concerted campaign of sexual assault. There will doubtless be many who say, ‘How dare you’.
“Those who have written about these attacks have done so in heart-breaking detail.
"Everyone who read their statements did so with a dignity and grace that flies in the face of your despicable actions.
“In my judgement, there is no doubt you will pose a serious risk to any community should you be released. Your manner of offending is a cause for serious concern.”
Gardner was placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.
One brave woman added: “We are his survivors, not his victims. The shame lies entirely with the perpetrator - not with us.”
Another said: "My life changed forever. I was no longer the care-free woman I used to be."
A third said the defendant stole her confidence and peace.
One woman said that she cannot sleep and if she needs to shop she does it online. She added: "I do not trust anybody anymore."